St Paul, Antwerp 1844

Curator: Here we have William Callow's "St Paul, Antwerp," a delicate pencil sketch now residing in the Tate Collections. Artist: It feels like a half-remembered dream, doesn't it? Ghostly buildings lining a silent street. I love the way the light seems to dissolve the edges of the architecture. Curator: Callow was a master of watercolor, and this sketch showcases his keen eye for architectural detail and atmospheric perspective, common subjects for British artists of his time. Artist: It’s like he's captured the very essence of Antwerp, not just the buildings, but the feeling of the place—the quiet dignity, the hushed history. A fleeting moment made permanent. Curator: Indeed. These sketches served as studies for his more elaborate watercolors, capturing the spirit of a place within a specific historical and cultural context. Artist: It's lovely how something so seemingly unfinished can feel so complete, almost a haiku in pencil. I wonder what stories these walls could tell.